Dowcett History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England
• Ireland

Etymology of Dowcett

The ancestors of the Dowcett family lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Dowcett was a name given to a good-tempered person. The surname Dowcett is derived from the Old English words douce and dowce, which mean sweet, pleasant. These words, which later became doux, were ultimately derived from the Old French words dolz and dous, which had the same meaning. As a personal name, Dowcett was often given to females and occasionally was borne by males.

Early Origins of the Dowcett family

Early History of the Dowcett family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dowcett research. Another 59 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1582, 1619, 1630, 1640, 1648 and 1683 are included under the topic Early Dowcett History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dowcett Spelling Variations

Dowcett has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Dowcett have been found, including Dowse, Dowcett, Dowsett, Dorset, Dorsett, Dowser, Dowsey and many more.

Early Notables of the Dowcett family

William Dowse of Collingborn; Edward Dowse (1582-1648), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1640 to 1648; and Thomas Dowse,(c. 1630-1683), also known as Thomas Dawse and Thomas Dawles, an...
Another 34 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Dowcett Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Dowcett family to Ireland

Some of the Dowcett family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 36 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Dowcett family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Dowcetts to arrive on North American shores: Thomas and Katherine Dowse who settled in Virginia in 1623; Charles Dowse settled in Virginia in 1643; Lawrence Dowse settled in Charlestown Massachusetts in 1630.